Furious sports clubs say there are not enough pitches and facilities in Herne Bay to accommodate the growing number of players in the town.

Bosses at Herne Bay Wanderers and Herne Cricket Club say players are being forced to travel as far as Thanet to play home games.

They hit out as their bid to lease Burton Down park from Canterbury City Council was rejected, despite offers to fund the restoration of its pitch and pavilion themselves.

Wanderers - a youth football club - has several age-group teams catering for children as young as four, but they are regularly forced to play out-of-town, often in Minster.

Herne Cricket Club, on the other hand, hires Cherry Orchard in Herne from the city council, but its members say its wicket “is often poorly maintained”.

Martyn Cassell, who was speaking on behalf of both clubs, believes the decision on Burton Down could lead to Herne Bay Wanderers losing members.

“The under-11 team has to play in Minster because it can’t get the facilities in Herne Bay,” he said.

“We also use the council pitches at Herne Bay Memorial Park and on occasions at Cherry Orchard, but youth participation has gone through the roof and so clubs need more pitches.

“We have to get facilities wherever we can and, as a result, the football club is totally spread out; we’re playing one game here and another there.

“This isn’t sustainable moving forward because the children’s parents may not want to take them that far for every home game. We’re not the only club. There are others who have to go to Canterbury, Thanet, or other areas to play.”

Burton Down is predominantly used by families and dog walkers. Its wicket, outfield and football pitches are unmaintained; while its pavilion has been mothballed.

The clubs’ trustees pledged to make the necessary improvements to the pitches and clubhouse.

But, as part of its decision to reject the proposal, the council’s regeneration and property committee instead voted to demolish the pavilion.

Mr Cassell said: “This takes Burton Down away as an option for sports clubs in the future because no one is going to have the money to rebuild it.

“The pavilion is a bit sorry at the moment. It does get some anti-social behaviour, but if it was used more regularly and given some attention it could be a really good facility.

“I’d be amazed if it cost less than £10,000 to knock that building down and make it safe.”

Ward councillors Ian and Jeanette Stockley objected to the clubs’ plans, fearing it would reduce public access to the park.

Mr Stockley, who sits on the committee, said: “The main reason for my hesitation was the issue of ownership. I’m not suggesting they wanted to fence the park off and exclude the public, but it has happened elsewhere.”

Mr Cassell has dismissed the suggestion the park would be taken over by the clubs.

“At no point did any of our proposals suggest we’d stop locals from using it,” he added.

“We’re thoroughly frustrated. At least 15% of the memberships live within a 15-minute walk of Burton Down. These are people who absolutely should be using that space.”

The council is to hold a review of the number of sports clubs in Herne Bay and the pitches available to them.